The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
St. Pat’s Basket Bonanza on its way
More than 100 baskets valued at $ 75 or more will be up for grabs Saturday, March 23 as St. Patrick’s School holds its 20th annual Basket Bonanza.
This year’s event will be held at the Kallet Civic Center, Main Street. Doors will open at 4 p. m. for basket preview; drawings will begin at 8 p. m. for adults only
The celebrity emcee will be Kim Brown, a former reporter for Channel 9 WSYRTV; she is currently employed by Syracuse University and is a weekly guest on WSYR’s “Bridge Street.” Dr. John Costello Jr. of Oneida will assist her.
Principal Peg Brown said the event’s committee has been working on the event for more than a year and this year’s looks to be another great event with wonderful baskets and a lot of fun planned.
“The baskets this year are just amazing,” Brown said. “There are thousands of dollars of merchandise up for grabs. The regular baskets are worth at least $ 75 and the special baskets are
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Eileen Jennings moves one of the more than 142 baskets for the 18th annual St Patrick’s Basket Bonanza in 2011. This year’s fundraiser is Saturday, March 23 at the Kallet Civic Center on Main Street in Oneida. worth more than $ 150 with some being worth hundreds of dollars.”
The variety of baskets is also better than ever. There are baskets for those who like to cook, garden, and hunt, entertain, redecorate or pamper themselves. The latest electronics, patio furniture, tools, and something for children of all ages.
“There’s certainly something for everyone,” Brown said, who noted that Basket Bonanza is the school’s largest fundraiser of the year. “We are so grateful to our families and the many area businesses who donate baskets for this event. We are amazed at the generosity and support we have received.”
Admission tickets are $ 5 and are on sale soon. Tickets will be available at the school, Brigitte’s Hair & Tanning Salon, Route 5, Oneida and Daphne’s Dream Dancers Studio, 108 E. Center St. Canastota. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door. The event is traditionally sells out, so patrons are encouraged to buy tickets in advance. Table reservations are available by calling the school at 363- 3620.
The grand prize raffle will be a $ 6,000 Ferris IS500Z 52- inch riding lawn mower from White’s Farm Supply; the jackpot raffle is for an iPad mini 16 GB WiFi; and the Principal’s basket is a ceramic tile top patio table with six chairs. Tickets for these special raffles are available now as pre- sale and will be sold throughout the event. These drawings will be the grand finale of the event.
Those attending may bring their own food and snacks, but all beverages must be purchased at the event. Soda, coffee, tea and a cash bar will be available, hosted by Hi- Way Bowl of Canastota.
For more information about the Basket Bonanza, call St. Patrick’s School at 363- 3620.